Halfback Reynolds took his tally for the night to 13 points by holding his nerve to slot through the posts in a gripping finale after Michael Oldfield's late converted score looked set to take Friday's game into golden-point territory.

The Bunnies had slumped to back-to-back defeats before heading to Pepper Stadium, but Sam Burgess rounded off a slick move down the middle for the opening try before the Panthers hit back.

Dallin Watene Zelezniak took a pass from his younger brother Malakai - making his debut - to dot down in a special moment for the family and Corey Harawira-Naera added another try for the rampant home side.

The clinical Nathan Cleary added a penalty to his two conversions to put the Panthers 14-8 ahead, but the in-form Cody Walker added a second Rabbitohs four-pointer, which Reynolds converted to make it 14 apiece at the break.

Some fine play from Walker enabled Reynolds to put Souths back in front with his first try of the season, but Oldfield's score in the corner and an expert conversion from Cleary levelled again, only for Reynolds to settle it following more magic from Walker after the Panthers gave away a penalty following the restart.

Matt Frawley starred again as the Bulldogs came from behind to defeat the Knights 22-12 at McDonald Jones Stadium in their first game since coach Des Hasler signed a new deal.

Hasler's men trailed 6-4 at the break, but rookie half-back Frawley scored one try and laid on another, while Marcelo Montoya claimed a double and Josh Morris also went over, with Sione Mata'utia's try somewhat controversially ruled out at the other end.